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Tuesday, February 25, 2014

CHECK OUT THE 7 BEST BEARDS IN WORLD FOOTBALL

As everyone knows, beards are cool. Whether deemed impractical or
merely behind the times, this universal knowledge has yet to permeate
the footballing world, with only a few fashionable souls brave enough to
don full facial hair.Once scientific research proves
beyond doubt the link between beards and greatly enhanced footballing
ability, the following players will be reduced to mere mortals as a
hirsute tidal wave washes across world football.Until then, they remain ahead of the curve...

XABI ALONSO

If ever a beard was representative of its wearer, it would be that of
Xabi Alonso - exuding a calm control, classy but commanding. Once
a fresh faced young pup at Liverpool, Alonso's decision to embrace his
red-tinted beard coincided with multiple honours both internationally
with Spain and domestically at the heart of the Real Madrid midfield.Eagle
eyed football fans may have noticed a similar recent effort from
Michael Carrick, albeit with patchier, less impressive results.

TIM HOWARD

Although
recently lost to the Howard household drain, Everton's American stopper
has been sporting the classic 'Inverse Head' look in the past couple of
seasons.Contrasting with a shaved head, his majestic
beard has no doubt contributed to Howard providing a formidable obstacle
to opposition forwards, with only Chelsea having conceded fewer goals
than the Toffees so far this season.

Howard even told
the Metro that it was the strength gained from his beard that helped him
keep out Christian Benteke's spot kick earlier this season. Take note,
world.ROY KEANE

Despite
having retired from playing in 2006, Keane has remained in the game
with ultimately disappointing managerial spells at Sunderland and
Ipswich Town - spells often adorned with a two-tone beard showing
maturity and wisdom.

Now working as part of a 'Bad Cop,
Badder Cop' double act as assistant to Republic of Ireland boss Martin
O'Neill, Keane can also be found frequently scolding professional Toby
jug Adrian Chiles on ITV's match coverage.OLOF MELBERG

Sturdy and reliable, Mellberg's beard was
present during many of the 117 appearances he made for Sweden, and can
still be observed when the 36-year-old turns out for current club
Copenhagen in the Danish top flight.

It also led to team-mates dubbing him 'Olof Mellbeard'. Probably.

JAME DALTON

Perhaps
less well known and revered than the other incumbents of the list,
25-year-old James Dayton is still a giant amongst beard wearing
footballers, enough so to take a podium position.

Having
started his career at Crystal Palace, it was a move to Kilmarnock, and
the harsh Scottish winters, that inspired a rugged lumberjack look.

Sadly,
Dayton, who now plys his trade at Oldham, shaved off his beard,
although he did manage to provide an amusing picture in the process.

ANDREA PIRLO

It is no coincidence that since sprouting his darkened bristles,
Andrea Pirlo has seen a renaissance in the twilight of his playing days,
serving as the fulcrum in both the Juventus and Italian midfield.

His
metronomic control of midfield matters reflects a beard you could set
your watch by. Pirlo looks set to pick up a third Serie A title in a
row with The Old Lady, and the 2014 World Cup Finals may provide a
fitting swansong for beard and player alike.

MATTHIAS HOLST

Once again it's left to the Germans to show us how it's done. As
with Dayton, not a household name amongst football fans, but a shere
force of will has seen Matthias Holst take the gold medal.

Having
spent the previous three years at the centre of the Hansa Rostock
defence, Holst was released last summer and remains a free agent. At
only 31, he surely has more to offer the game as such beardliness
undoubtedly deserves a wider audience. Here's hoping the planets align
for Holst.